Hot off the press we can confirm that Britain’s Saskia Sills has won yet another world title, this time the RS:X Youth World title at the ISAF Youth Worlds.
“I can’t quite believe it! It’s such a shock but such a great feeling, I’m over the moon,” enthused Sills. “My aim entering the regatta was to try and finish within the top 10 and to gain as much experience as possible as it’s my first Youth Worlds and only my third proper event on the RS:X board. I don’t think it’s hit me yet as to how big this event actually is and what it means to medal here, I’m sure it soon will though and I can’t wait for tonight!”
Sills, who won the U17 class RS:X European title earlier this month, went into today’s only race with a guaranteed silver medal in the bag and needed to finish within the top 13 to secure the world title. Following a 15th in her penultimate race yesterday (Thursday 19 July), the pressure could have easily mounted on the youngest member of RYA Volvo Team GBR.
“At the beginning of the week I started off really well but as the week went on it got very tough. Yesterday I had a bit of a shocker in the final race and made it a lot harder for myself – I couldn’t sleep last night which I’m sure was down to nerves. Everyone was congratulating me this morning before the race had even started which was a bit strange as I still had a job to do.
“I was so pleased when I crossed the finished line, it was a very stressful race,” said Sills. “At one point I was going round the top mark in 13th with the people behind right on my tail which was when I soon realised I needed to pull my finger out. When I returned to the shore it was a great feeling. I’m now looking forward to the closing ceremony and celebrating the Nations Trophy with the rest of RYA Volvo Team GBR,” said Sills.
Congratulations to Saskia and we cannot wait to hear more about the victory on Boards.
This week was of course dominated by PWA news, firstly all the highlights from PWA Gran Canaria then the news that Iballa Moreno and Philip Koester took further victories in PWA Tenerife too. Check out the Boardseeker action with brilliant videos from each day thanks to Alfie Hart.
During the competition the final 10 sailors were announced for the Red Bull Storm Chase, with Robby Swift in the mix with some of the best in the world. Ben Proffitt didn’t quite make it, but is nicely placed in 11th to step in should there be any injuries or sailors unable to make it…we’re sure we WILL see Proffitt in action in a force 10, potentially along with 12th placed Kenneth Danielsen who is probably the sailor most physically suited to the ballistic winds!
New equipment has been launched this week with the freestyle/wave range from Fanatic and North Sails, as well as the new range of wave sails from Simmer.
We finish of this week’s top news with a brilliant image from one of the main men at RRD, Dave White and his new transport to the beach….we asked for more details, but looks like this was a top secret mission!
